Imagine a world where simple infections could turn deadly, claiming millions of lives annually and costing trillions in global healthcare expenses – that's the stark warning from the latest World Health Organization report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). And this isn't just a distant threat; it's unfolding right now, with one out of every six bacterial infections globally proving resistant to antibiotics. By 2050, experts predict AMR could lead to 10 million deaths each year and a staggering $1 trillion in healthcare costs, highlighting why urgent, coordinated global action is non-negotiable.
But here's where it gets controversial – ensuring steady access to vital medicines, especially those off-patent antibiotics that have saved countless lives, is just as crucial as combating resistance itself. These drugs are the backbone of everyday healthcare, treating routine infections and preventing complications during surgeries. Without them, we're not just fighting bugs; we're risking a healthcare crisis that could set AMR back even further.
As World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week kicks off, Viatris Inc., a leading global healthcare company, teamed up with Medicines for Europe – the advocate for Europe's generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines sectors – to unveil insights from an independent study by New Angle, a respected consulting and research firm. This research, titled Securing Access, Improving Lives: Strengthening Patients' Access to Off-Patent Medicines in Europe, dives deep into why shortages of these essential drugs, particularly antibiotics, are on the rise. The study calls for sweeping changes to national pricing and procurement systems to ensure patients can reliably get the medicines they need.
And this is the part most people miss – the numbers paint a grim picture of economic strain. Between 2020 and 2024, the average prices of Europe's top 10 off-patent antibiotics plunged by 10.4%. Meanwhile, production costs skyrocketed, with industrial expenses jumping 31.6%, labor costs up 25.7%, and energy costs soaring – gas prices increased by 88% and electricity by 62%. Even amoxicillin, a go-to antibiotic, saw its price drop 18.9%, despite being hit hard by shortages. Across 16 European countries, reports from June 23 to July 7, 2025, revealed 240 antibiotic products pulled from the market and 385 shortages on a single day. (These figures come from official health authority data collected during that period.)
To put this into perspective for beginners, think of off-patent medicines as the affordable generics that make healthcare accessible after a drug's patent expires. They're cheaper, but if manufacturers can't afford to produce them due to rising costs and falling prices, we end up with shortages. This isn't just about money; it's about lives. For example, without reliable antibiotics, a minor cut could lead to a serious infection, or routine surgeries could become riskier.
The study urges immediate policy reforms to keep these medicines viable and available in Europe. Ideas include:
- Adjusting prices to match inflation and production costs: This would help manufacturers cover expenses, ensuring they can keep producing without going out of business.
- Introducing minimum price guarantees: While short-term savings sound appealing, they can backfire by discouraging supply. A floor price would stabilize the market, avoiding distortions that lead to fewer options.
- Implementing tiered pricing based on competition: Prices should fluctuate with the number of suppliers – rising when competition is low to encourage more producers, and falling when there are plenty. This fosters a healthy, multi-supplier environment.
- Overhauling procurement practices: Shift to tenders that reward multiple winners and consider factors beyond just price, like dependable supply chains and eco-friendly standards, promoting these across the EU.
"Off-patent antibiotics are the unsung heroes of healthcare, powering everyday infection treatments and surgical defenses," explained Margarida Bajanca, Lead Researcher at New Angle. "Our findings reveal that current pricing and procurement rules are driving prices down while costs soar, jeopardizing production and patient access. Without reforms, Europeans might lose these lifesavers, worsening public health and speeding up antimicrobial resistance."
Artur Cwiok, President of Viatris Europe, added, "True patient access demands robust, sustainable policies that value off-patent medicines for their role in health, securing reliable supplies for everyone in Europe."
Adrian van den Hoven, Director General of Medicines for Europe, stressed, "Antibiotics are fundamental to public health. This report is a clarion call to reevaluate their societal worth. It's fueling a heated debate: Are our pricing strategies causing more harm than good, especially with trends toward fewer suppliers dominating the market? Policymakers must overhaul these policies to bolster supply stability. Let's hope this AMR Awareness Week sparks decisive reforms."
These findings are timely, as global institutions observe World AMR Awareness Week. For Viatris, they reinforce the company's commitment to tackling AMR through multi-sector partnerships like PLATINEA in Sweden, industry coalitions such as the AMR Industry Alliance, and efforts to improve access to both established and cutting-edge antibiotics. These actions echo the study's core message: safeguarding access to antibiotics and other key off-patent drugs requires not just data, but decisive steps to overcome sustainability hurdles.
Viatris and Medicines for Europe are urging policymakers, healthcare experts, and industry collaborators to heed this evidence and create lasting systems for antibiotic availability.
Dive into the full study on the Viatris website or via Medicines for Europe for more details.
About Viatris
Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq: VTRS) stands out as a global healthcare leader that blends generics and branded drugs to meet diverse health needs worldwide. Our goal is to help people live healthier lives at every stage, from infancy to old age, through acute care and chronic conditions. We reach about 1 billion patients annually with top-quality medicines, backed by a unique global supply chain and deep scientific know-how. Headquartered in the U.S., with hubs in Pittsburgh, Shanghai, and Hyderabad, India, we make access meaningful. Explore more at viatris.com, investor.viatris.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and X.
About Medicines for Europe
Medicines for Europe champions Europe's generic, biosimilar, and value-added medicines sectors. Our mission focuses on five pillars: patients, quality, value, sustainability, and partnership, ensuring reliable access to high-quality drugs. Our members employ 190,000 people across 400 manufacturing sites and 126 R&D centers in Europe, investing up to 17% of revenue in research. We're expanding medication availability, enhancing outcomes, and building resilient healthcare by delivering affordable generics, innovative biosimilars, and enhanced hospital therapies. Learn more at www.medicinesforeurope.com, and connect on LinkedIn and X @medicinesforEU.
But is this the whole story? Some might argue that stricter regulations on pricing could be seen as overreach, potentially driving up costs for governments and patients. Others wonder if market forces alone should dictate supply, or if innovation in new antibiotics should take precedence over old ones. What do you think – are these reforms the antidote, or are we overlooking deeper systemic issues? Do you agree that current policies are fueling shortages, or is there another angle? Share your opinions in the comments below; let's spark a conversation on how to truly protect our health in the face of AMR.
